Krypton is a subcritical vapour at the nitrogen boiling temperature. As such, its adsorption on crystalline surfaces leads to condensation steps, typical of type VI isotherms according to IUPAC, while its ... [more ▼]

Krypton is a subcritical vapour at the nitrogen boiling temperature. As such, its adsorption on crystalline surfaces leads to condensation steps, typical of type VI isotherms according to IUPAC, while its adsorption on rough surfaces is BET-like. Based on this property of krypton adsorption at 77 K, a methodology is proposed to determine the purity of carbon nanotubes samples. The method is tested on model samples obtained by mixing mechanically purified multi-walled carbon nanotubes with various amounts of the same catalyst as used for their synthesis. [less ▲]

Anaemia has a detrimental impact on quality of life and it is important that this condition is recognised and treated in patients with cancer. Epoetin beta is an effective and well-tolerated treatment of ... [more ▼]

Anaemia has a detrimental impact on quality of life and it is important that this condition is recognised and treated in patients with cancer. Epoetin beta is an effective and well-tolerated treatment of anaemia in patients with a wide range of solid and haematological malignancies. A study in patients with lymphoid malignancies confirms that epoetin beta is equally effective at the same overall weekly dose (30,000 IU weekly) when given once-weekly or three-times weekly. This once-weekly regimen has also proved effective in patients with solid tumours. Once-weekly treatment is more convenient for the patient, potentially improving compliance and is associated with reduced hospital administration costs. The majority of patients with cancer will respond to epoetin therapy with an increase in haemoglobin levels. However, it is of value to identify those patients who are likely to respond, so that cost-effectiveness can be improved. Despite much research into potential predictive factors, follow-up studies are required and clinical judgement remains key to managing the anaemia of cancer. In addition, studies suggest that intravenous iron supplementation can improve response to epoetin therapy in patients with functional iron deficiency. Epoetin beta offers an effective, safe and convenient therapy for the management of anaemia in patients with cancer. Ongoing studies are expected to lead to a greater understanding of the optimal use of epoetins in cancer-related anaemia. [less ▲]

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is used for the treatment of selected haematological malignancies. Its curative potential is based on two different mechanisms, i.e. the ... [more ▼]

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is used for the treatment of selected haematological malignancies. Its curative potential is based on two different mechanisms, i.e. the conditioning regimen and the graft-versus-host immunologic reactions. However, because of its toxicity, it is restricted to younger and fitter patients. These observations led several groups to set up new (less toxic) transplant protocols. These transplants are called nonmyeloablative HSCT or minitransplants. These are feasible with a relatively low transplant-related mortality even in patients up to 70 years. In addition, strong anti-tumor responses are observed in several haematological malignancies. [less ▲]

AL amyloidosis is a rare systemic disease resulting from tissue accumulation of amyloid fibrils derived from monoclonal immunoglobulin light chains. It can disrupt the tissue architecture and consequently cause organ dysfunction. The prognosis is poor with a median survival of 13 months in untreated patients. By illustrating the case of a patient whose AL amyloidosis was detected after presenting a nephrotic syndrome, the characteristics of the disease are reviewed as well as diagnostic criteria and current available therapeutics. [less ▲]

The objective of this investigation was to study the effects of sex steroids on levels of haemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit (Hct) and to analyse whether these effects can be related to levels of the ... [more ▼]

The objective of this investigation was to study the effects of sex steroids on levels of haemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit (Hct) and to analyse whether these effects can be related to levels of the soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), a marker of erythropoietic activity. Nineteen male-to-female transsexuals were randomly assigned to either oral ethinyl oestradiol (EE) (n=12) or transdermal 17beta-oestradiol (E2) (n=7); both treatments included the anti-androgen cyproterone acetate (CA). Six male-to-female transsexuals were treated with CA only. Fifteen female-to-male transsexuals were treated with i.m. testosterone esters. The Hct, and levels of Hb, IGF-I, GH and sTfR were measured before and after 4 months of hormone administration. Androgen administration significantly increased the sTfR concentration by 31.5% (P=0.008) and increased levels of Hct, Hb and IGF-I. Both regimens of CA with oral EE and transdermal E2 reduced plasma testosterone similarly to castrate values and decreased Hb and Hct. The CA+oral EE combination induced a decrease in sTfR of 19.0% (P=0.002) which was not the case with CA+transdermal E2 (P=0.27). This cannot be explained by the profound decline in plasma testosterone which was similar with both regimens, but this difference could be related to the different effects of the two regimens on plasma IGF-I. This assumption is supported by the positive correlation that was found to exist between plasma sTfR and IGF-I after the interventions (P<0.05). [less ▲]

In this retrospective study, we analyse epidemiology, clinical symptoms and therapeutic results in a group of 23 children with neuroblastoma. Half of them were less than 2 years of age; in 19 of 23, the ... [more ▼]

In this retrospective study, we analyse epidemiology, clinical symptoms and therapeutic results in a group of 23 children with neuroblastoma. Half of them were less than 2 years of age; in 19 of 23, the primitive tumour was abdominal; 35% of them were initially metastatic. The overall survival was 83% at 5 years and the event free survival, 75% at 5 years. Pronostic factors are age, extension of the disease at diagnosis, biologic parameters and genetic study of the neuroblast cells (amplification of N-myc oncogen). Our study shows the deleterious effect of bone lesions. [less ▲]

On day 30 after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT), 20 patients were randomized to receive either erythropoietin at a dose of 500 U/kg/week s.c. (Epo group) or no treatment ... [more ▼]

On day 30 after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT), 20 patients were randomized to receive either erythropoietin at a dose of 500 U/kg/week s.c. (Epo group) or no treatment (control group). After 3 weeks, hemoglobin (p<0.0001) and serum transferrin receptor (p<0.0001) concentrations were higher in the Epo group. Hb response (+2 g/dL) was achieved in 100% vs 28% (p<0.0001) and Hb correction (> or =13 g/dL) in 70% vs 10% (p=0.0238) of the patients, respectively. This is the first randomized study showing an efficacy of erythropoietin therapy on Hb levels after autologous PBSCT. [less ▲]

Since the late 1960s, the Sahel is affected by a dramatic drought. This article analyses climatic variations recorded in the Gouré area, eastern Niger, between 1936 and 2003. It appears that the drought ... [more ▼]

Since the late 1960s, the Sahel is affected by a dramatic drought. This article analyses climatic variations recorded in the Gouré area, eastern Niger, between 1936 and 2003. It appears that the drought ended in the late 1980s. However, the rainfall increase did not lead to an extension of the length of the rainy season. The study of the wind shows that correct data were recorded during the two first years of the station of Gouré (1984 and 1985). Afterwards, wind speed was entached by errors and did not report since 1997. The situation is alarming as we know that neighbouring stations meet the same problems and that no synoptic station currently reports wind values in eastern Niger. However, based on wind speed and deflation data recorded in 1984, a threshold wind speed of 7 m/s was determined in Gouré. Finally, from measurements of horizontal visibility reduced by mineral dust, our results suggest that air quality is reduced because of the high frequency of wind erosion. The confrontation of our results with recent environmental studies in that region show that the end of the drought did not lead to any landscape improvement. Increasing human pressure tends to be the main driving factor of land degradation. [less ▲]

Extensive livestock productions is historically linked to local, traditional breeds. Both these production systems and traditional breeds have markedly declined or even disappeared in some areas, as a ... [more ▼]

Extensive livestock productions is historically linked to local, traditional breeds. Both these production systems and traditional breeds have markedly declined or even disappeared in some areas, as a result of global trends toward intensification, specialisation and abandonment of marginal areas. More recently, interest in the preservation of livestock biodiversity has been revived. Concern over the livelihood of marginal rural areas and landscape management accompanies the political debate over rare breeds. Parallel to institutional activity, and in many cases as forerunners, social actors have undertaken action to avoid both breed extinction and the loss of pastoralist traditions. In this paper, we present the findings of a qualitative survey of local goat husbandry in Southern France. Non-directive interviews of extension experts and breeders of two local goat breeds, the Rove and the Provençal, revealed a strong link between the breeders’ perception of local breeds/pastoralism and their broader worldview. Most breeders are “back-to-the-landers”. Their choice to raise local breeds in the pastoralist way is linked to a vision of society as a whole. Their account is interpreted as the will to resist to mainstream discourse and practice of rural development in marginal areas. [less ▲]

Exposing day 5 bovine morulae to reactive oxygen species induces a delayed degeneration of some blastocysts on day 8 post-insemination (pi) but without affecting the blastocyst rates. The aim of this ... [more ▼]

Exposing day 5 bovine morulae to reactive oxygen species induces a delayed degeneration of some blastocysts on day 8 post-insemination (pi) but without affecting the blastocyst rates. The aim of this study was to characterize the resisting and the degenerating population of blastocysts. The kinetics of degeneration of the embryos exposed to the two pro-oxidant agents: 2,2'-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) and buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) was evaluated using time-lapse cinematography. With both agents the first signs of degeneration appeared at day 7.5 pi but the duration of the degeneration process was shorter in presence of AAPH than BSO (4.2 vs. 12.5 hr, ANOVA, P < 0.05). The resisting blastocysts derived from morulae with a larger diameter (mean diameter: 161 vs. 154 microm, ANOVA, P < 0.05) and showed an earlier cavitation (135 vs. 142 hpi, P < 0.05) than the degenerating ones. The profile of protein neosynthesis at day 7 was not affected by the treatment. The proportion of male embryos was more important in the resisting than in the degenerating population (70 vs. 55%, chi2, P < 0.05) especially when the stress was induced by AAPH. The quality of the resisting embryos, measured by the total cell number and the rate of apoptosis, did not seem to be affected when compared to control embryos. In conclusion, resistance to oxidative stress seems related to the kinetics of development and/or the sex of the embryos. Resisting embryos apparently display a quality similar to untreated embryos. [less ▲]

Porcine embryo selection prior to transfer is mainly influenced by morphological criteria. However, the relationship between embryonic morphology, developmental potential and cell death by apoptosis in ... [more ▼]

Porcine embryo selection prior to transfer is mainly influenced by morphological criteria. However, the relationship between embryonic morphology, developmental potential and cell death by apoptosis in porcine embryos is still unclear. The aim of this study was to establish embryo quality parameters for in vivo fertilised porcine embryos based on timing of development in vitro, embryo morphology and the presence of apoptosis. The kinetics of development and morphological parameters were investigated in a time-lapse cinematographic experiment. Possible links between embryo morphology and apoptosis were examined via a confocal laser scanning experiment, analysing nuclear changes, annexin V and terminal dUTP nick-end labelling. The timing of early cleavages was firmly linked to embryo developmental competence in vitro. Attainment of at least the 5-cell stage before 77 h post insemination and attainment of the morula stage before 102 h post insemination significantly increased the odds for reaching the early blastocyst stage. Overall, a negative effect of fragmentation percentage and fragmentation pattern on subsequent embryonic development was observed, but the developmental potential of embryos experiencing slight fragmentation (0-5%) was not different from embryos without fragmentation. Correlations detected between developmental arrest and fragmentation, and fragmentation and apoptosis were 0.60 and 0.87 (P < 0.05) respectively. Only a minority of the embryos arrested between the 1- and 4-cell stage displayed biochemical characteristics of apoptosis. Consequently, a significant correlation (0.57) between developmental arrest and apoptosis could only be established for embryos arrested after embryonic genome activation. [less ▲]

The control of protein synthesis during maturation in oocytes is mainly exerted through cytoplasmic polyadenylation of stored mRNAs. We first analyzed the polyadenylation status of cyclins A2 and B1 ... [more ▼]

The control of protein synthesis during maturation in oocytes is mainly exerted through cytoplasmic polyadenylation of stored mRNAs. We first analyzed the polyadenylation status of cyclins A2 and B1 during in vitro maturation (IVM) of bovine oocytes, using Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends-Polyadenylation Technique (RACE-PAT). An inconstant elongation of the poly(A) tail was observed for cyclin A2 transcripts after maturation, while a constant lengthening was observed for cyclin B1, occurring during the first 12 hr of incubation. We then evaluated the effects of the polyadenylation inhibitor 3'-deoxyadenosine (3'-dA), on polyadenylation and nuclear maturation. The presence of 0.02 mM 3'-dA during the whole incubation period or from 6 hr after its beginning completely prevented meiosis progression in 100% of the oocytes. Polyadenylation of cyclin B1 was also completely prevented when 3'-dA was added at 0 hr, and greatly reduced when added at 6 hr. When 3'-dA was added at 12 hr, around metaphase I (MI), 46.9% of the oocytes have reached metaphase II (MII, vs. 78.8% in the control group) at 24 hr. The use of the same concentration of 3'-deoxyguanosine (3'-dG), that impairs transcription but not polyadenylation, did not affect cyclins polyadenylation, nor nuclear maturation, whatever was the timing of addition. These results suggest that the polyadenylation of cyclin B1 could be related to the first peak of activity of MPF, occurring around MI (10-12 hr after the onset of the maturation period). They also show that, in our culture conditions, inhibition of polyadenylation prevents meiosis progression, especially up to the MI stage, while inhibition of transcription does not. [less ▲]

The developmental competence of bovine oocytes isolated from antral follicles of different sizes was assessed in three European laboratories (Belgium, UCL; Denmark, DIAS; France, INRA). Using the same ... [more ▼]

The developmental competence of bovine oocytes isolated from antral follicles of different sizes was assessed in three European laboratories (Belgium, UCL; Denmark, DIAS; France, INRA). Using the same protocol for in vitro production of embryos, the oocytes isolated from follicles with a diameter > or = 6 mm always gave a higher blastocyst rate than oocytes from follicles < 4 mm (UCL: 42% versus 14%, DIAS: 50% versus 35%, INRA: 39% versus 22%; P < 0.05). Blastocyst cell number was not affected by follicle size. Several parameters were investigated for these oocytes. The energy metabolism of cumulus-oocyte-complexes and of denuded oocytes was assessed by the oxygen and pyruvate uptake and by lactate release both at the beginning and the end of the maturation. No effect of follicle size could be detected but lactate release increased after maturation. The global profile of transcripts, the pattern of protein neosynthesis and the kinetics of meiosis resumption were not affected by follicle size. The developmental kinetics of derived embryos was also analysed. Whatever the follicle size, viable embryos had a shorter first and third embryonic cell cycle. Among the viable embryos, the size of the follicle interfered with the fourth cell cycle duration. A higher percentage of blastocysts issued from large follicle presented a short fourth cell cycle (9h) (35% versus 6%; P < 0.05). Beside, blastocysts derived from small follicles had a delayed cavitation and expansion. Thereby, a higher developmental competence for oocytes from follicle > or = 6 mm versus < 4 mm was demonstrated in three laboratories although no differences could be displayed directly at the oocyte level. [less ▲]

Hypertension occurs frequently among hemodialysis (HD) patients and can be due to many factors, such as salt intake, elevated sympathetic tone, and uremic toxins. It is responsible for the high ... [more ▼]

Hypertension occurs frequently among hemodialysis (HD) patients and can be due to many factors, such as salt intake, elevated sympathetic tone, and uremic toxins. It is responsible for the high cardiovascular risk associated with renal disease. Generally, in HD patients, while there is an elevation of systolic blood pressure (BP), diastolic BP seems to decrease, and the resultant effect is high pulse pressure, which can have a deleterious effect on the cardiovascular system. Although controversial, in the HD population the relationship between BP and risk of death seems to be U shaped, probably because of pre-existing cardiac disease in patients with the lowest BP. In chronic kidney disease, BP lower than 130/80 mmHg is recommended, but an appropriate target for BP in the HD population remains to be established. Moreover, there is no consensus regarding which routine peridialysis BP (pre- or post-dialysis BP, or both) can ensure the diagnosis of hypertension in this population. Ambulatory BP monitoring remains the gold standard to quantify the integrated BP load applied to the cardiovascular system. As well, home BP assessment could contribute to improve the definition of an optimal BP in the HD population. An ideal goal for post-dialysis systolic BP seems to be a value higher than 110 mmHg and lower than 150 mmHg. However, HD patients are generally old and often have cardiac complications, so a reasonable pre-dialysis target systolic BP could be 150 mmHg. It is prudent to suggest that an improvement in BP control is necessary in the HD population, first by slow and smooth removal of extracellular volume (dry weight) and thereafter by the use of appropriate antihypertensive medication. [less ▲]

This paper proposes to investigate topology optimization with density-dependent body forces and especially self-weight loading. Surprisingly the solution of such problems cannot be based on a direct ... [more ▼]

This paper proposes to investigate topology optimization with density-dependent body forces and especially self-weight loading. Surprisingly the solution of such problems cannot be based on a direct extension of the solution procedure used for minimum-compliance topology optimization with fixed external loads. At first the particular difficulties arising in the considered topology problems are pointed out: non-monotonous behaviour of the compliance, possible unconstrained character of the optimum and the parasitic effect for low densities when using the power model (SIMP). To get rid of the last problem requires the modification of the power law model for low densities. The other problems require that the solution procedure and the selection of appropriate structural approximations be revisited. Numerical applications compare the efficiency of different approximation schemes of the MMA family. It is shown that important improvements are achieved when the solution is carried out using the gradient-based method of moving asymptotes (GBMMA) approximations. Criteria for selecting the approximations are suggested. In addition, the applications also provide the opportunity to illustrate the strong influence of the ratio between the applied loads and the structural weight on the optimal structural topology. [less ▲]

Article 230 EC allows any natural or legal person to institute proceedings against a decision addressed to that person or against a decision which, although in the form of a regulation or a decision ... [more ▼]

Article 230 EC allows any natural or legal person to institute proceedings against a decision addressed to that person or against a decision which, although in the form of a regulation or a decision addressed to another person, is of direct and individual concern to the former . Private parties thus frequently rely on this provision to challenge acts adopted by the European Commission (hereafter the Commission ) in accordance with the powers granted to it in the field of competition law. While this particular subject has generated extensive scholarly analysis, the last decade of reforms of EC competition law often cited as the modernisation process makes it particularly necessary to re-examine this topic. Two major developments in the field of competition law give rise to novel and complex questions with regard to judicial review pursuant to Article 230 EC. First, the reforms introduced by virtue of the modernisation of the implementation of EC competition rules have generated a proliferation of new acts whose legal character (and therefore by implication the possibility to challenge these new acts before the European Court of Justice hereafter, the ECJ and the Court of First Instance hereafter, the CFI ) is not necessarily clear. This is the case, for example, of the multitude of soft law instruments (notices, guidelines, etc.) which the Commission adopted with a view to clarifying its decisional practice, as well as new binding acts envisaged by Regulation 1/2003 such as findings of inapplicability and decisions to remove a case from a National Competition Authority. Second, the increased emphasis on the use of economic analysis following the successive reforms of the rules pertaining to horizontal and vertical agreements and merger control has transformed competition law into a technically complex subject matter whereby economists are stealing a lead over lawyers. The corollary of this development could be to limit the scope of judicial review exercised by generalist EC and national courts. Indeed, faced with having to make complex evaluations involving the weighing up of anti-competitive restrictions and efficiency gains, the generalist judge could quickly find himself lost. Therefore, the more opaque and complex a particular case is, the wider the Commission s discretion in its decision making becomes. Certain recent judgments of the CFI concerning the annulment of Commission prohibition decisions in merger control, however, put this danger into perspective. Apart from the above-mentioned developments, it is equally worth highlighting the proliferation of litigation running in parallel to annulment actions. Such litigation calls for, first and foremost, a re-examination and revision of the fines imposed by the Commission under Articles 81 and 82 EC. Subsequent to successful annulment actions, such litigation also encompasses actions for compensation of the losses incurred by the firm(s) subjected to unlawful Commission decisions. The recent case Holcim v. Commission or the request lodged by Mytravel after the Airtours judgment illustrate the development of such litigation in the field of competition law. Against this background, the developments that follow intend to provide a critical analysis of annulment actions against Commission decisions in the field of competition law in the aftermath of the modernisation process. This study is made up of seven parts. Part II identifies those acts that can be the subject of an annulment action within the meaning of Article 230 EC. Part III reviews and analyses the rules laying down who is entitled to initiate an annulment action. Part IV recalls the modalities for an annulment action. Part V evokes the parallel actions (revision of fines) and subsequent actions for indemnity following an annulment action. Part VI evaluates the effectiveness of the Community annulment action procedure in the light of the principles laid down by the CFI and ECJ as regards judicial review. Part VII provides a brief conclusion. [less ▲]